According to CNET, the Boeing CST-100 starliner spacecraft was subjected to strict scrutiny during the test flight to the international space station and back** On Wednesday, it returned safely to earth and landed on the ground at the White Sands Missile Launch Site in New Mexico.
Starliner's second orbital flight test (oft-2) was to track the inorganic crew on its first flight in 2019. At that time, a software problem prevented it from reaching the international space station. This time, it was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida on May 19, and successfully docked with the international space station about a day later. The capsule delivered equipment to the space station and brought back a batch of goods.
Boeing is seeking to catch up with SpaceX, which is already providing NASA with regular manned flights to the international space station.
"NASA's commercial crew program and our industry partner Boeing have taken an important and successful step today in making more manned space missions from the United States to the international space station," NASA Director Bill Nelson said in a statement
The commercial crew program is to free NASA from dependence on Russian spacecraft and send astronauts to orbital laboratories. If starliner is allowed to carry people, it will provide two options between NASA Boeing and SpaceX's manned dragon spacecraft.
NASA and Boeing will review the mission's data, including information collected by a human dummy with sensors called Rosie, which will help the team understand what astronauts will experience during flight. Starliner, the astronauts will have a good flight next time.